HC Deb 24 July 1871 vol 208 cc211-2

Order for Committee read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."

MR. PELL

said, he would move the adjournment of the House. He went to the Vote Office for a copy of the Bill, but found the door locked. The office emitted a smell of sulphur. He did not know who was in possession. That was not the way to carry on the Business of the House.

SIR PATRICK O'BRIEN

said, he should support the Motion.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."—(Mr. Pell.)

SIR CHARLES ADDERLEY

said, the reason assigned for the adjournment of the House, if allowed, would apply to all the 39 Orders of the Day.

MR. D. DALRYMPLE

said, if it was necessary to adjourn the House at all, it was necessary to adjourn till Wednesday, as the Vote Office would not be out of quarantine for 48 hours.

MR. STANSFELD

said, the fact of the Vote Office being closed was immaterial in this case, for copies of the Bill had been distributed for some days.

MR. NEWDEGATE

said, he understood that that Bill was to be followed by another Bill, which was to be introduced to-morrow. It would be a great advantage to hon. Members to see the sequel to that Bill before they went into Committee.

SIR GEORGE JENKINSON

said, he hoped his hon. Friend (Mr. Pell) would not press his Motion for the adjournment of the House. The House could dispose of other Bills of which hon. Members had copies.

MR. KNIGHT

said, he must support the Motion for the adjournment of the House, on the ground that a Bill of that character, which placed enormous patronage in the hands of the Government, ought not to be passed hastily at such an hour in the morning (20 minutes past 1 o'clock).

Question put.

The House divided:—Ayes 56; Noes 140: Majority 84.

Main Question, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair," put, and agreed to.

Bill considered in Committee.

Committee report Progress; to sit again upon Thursday.